The Captive Queen – Alison Weir #inbetweeny

I was at first slightly daunted by this inbetweeny as it was quite a chunky book and the probability of me finishing it before the next book club was slim. However my daughter (upon being asked to choose a number between 1 – 44 replied with 'well number one of course what else do you start with') indirectly choose the book and wouldn’t have allowed me to swop.

I had never heard of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the main character in the book nor her husband Henry Plantagenet. I had of course heard of Richard III (their son) and loving anything historical settled in for the long haul.

I found it quite an easy read after initial doubts. Eleanor was a remarkable lady living to a remarkable age despite many pregnancies, imprisonment and many travels.

Weir really captured how powerless women of that time were especially bearing in mind a Queen probably had far more opportunity than most other females of that time. I felt the frustration Eleanor experienced by having to adhere to her husband at all times.

I also found Weirs interpretation of the relationship between Eleanor and Henry interesting. I did wish at times it hadn’t (in the latter part of the book) always reverted to sex but I appreciated how the characters grew with age and viewpoints changed.

I really felt for Henry and the death he suffered but found him to be quite a sly character and at times really wanted to throttle him (as did Eleanor).

I have resolved to learn more about the Kings and Queens of England. I had no idea that the same man who ruled England also held most of France which was unrecognisable to what we view as France today and although I had heard of Richard III all I know is he saved the day in Robin Hood by returning from some crusade or other and discharging King John/Sheriff of Nottingham? (see not even totally sure about that!)

Anyone got any suggestions as to where I should start?

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